PP shake-up in the North: Mwenefumbo replaces chair Rev Soko

Malawi’s ruling Peoples Party (PP) has made a shake-up in its northern region committee in what sources say it’s as a result of a “cold war” within the party rank and file as they replaced its Provincial Chairperson for the north Reverend Brown Soko w and its Provincial Secretary Good Kayira.

Soko has been replaced by Frank Mwenefumbo who is deputy secretary general. He will act in the position , according to PP care-taker secretary-general Paul Maulidi.

Maulidi told a news conference in Mzuzu on Monday that Soko and Kayira have been ‘promoted’ into the national executive committee as members.

Accompanied by treasure general Harry Mkandawire, deputy national campaign director Zikhale Ng’oma and other dignitaries, Maulidi said the arrangement is vital because it will reposition PP well ahead of the 2014 tripartite elections where the country for the first time will elect the president; member of parliament and the councilor at one go.

Mwenefumbo: Acting as North regional boss

Mary Mphasi, who deputized Kayira, is the new Provisional Secretary.

“This is the strategy NEC in consultation with the president Joyce Banda did that some party positions be re-aligned for the betterment of the party to win the 2014 tripartite elections,” said Maulidi.

Soko told Nyasa Times:“If the promotion is done in good faith then I have no problems. I can serve the party in whatever position because at the end of the day what matters is the personality and talent.

However, PP sources told Nyasa Times that the duo’s move to NEC was a smokescreen because nobody will either call them for meetings or allocate them any tasks.

“Technically, the Party has fired them. The so-called promotion is just window dressing,” our source said.

Three weeks ago, PP withdrew an official vehicle, a white GMC Pick-up Registration number ZA 407, from Soko at FMB in Mzuzu and no reasons were given.

The vehicle is at the Mzuzu State Lodge.

Some few days ago, PP sources told Nyasa Times that the party’s President Joyce Banda had vented her anger at the behavior of some leaders citing reasons ranging from corruption, bringing the party into disrepute and moral decay.

Reverend Soko was conspicuously absent during many of the meetings President Banda had in the North.

However, Soko explained his absence saying it was because of his mother’s sickness.

“Of course it’s only the Mpamba and Chikwina rallies that I did not attend. But I had attended all of the President’s engagements,” Soko told Nyasa Times.

Other sources also say there are parallell PP structures in the North.

According to sources, people behind this are Fraser Chunga, MP Ackim Mwanza, Makwenda Chunga, Chitudzu Nyirenda and they are reporting to one top official “seeking to be considered for a running mate.”